This Month's Newsletter
We hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween! We are already into November with the holidays approaching quickly. We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.
In this month's newsletter, we compare the differences and similarities of symptoms for the flu and Covid-19 and what to expect. We also share news on the release of the Covid vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Finally, we recognize National Gratitude Month and ways we can incorporate gratitude into our daily routine. Finally, we continue to include information on our office hours and procedures, services we offer and complimentary new mom and baby classes.
The Pediatric Center is here for all of your urgent medical needs, even when the office is closed. There is always someone available from our practice. All you have to do is call: 908-508-0400.
Our goal is to further develop our relationship with our patients and create an open forum. We welcome your comments and ideas. If you would like to see something included in this newsletter, please email us at pedcenter.com@gmail.com with ideas only, please no medical requests.
As always, we welcome you to share your experience with our practitioners with an online review.
Sincerely,
The Pediatric Center Staff
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Flu Season - How to Protect Your Child |
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Flu season always created a sense of fear and caution, wanting to protect your child from contracting the illness. When you put Covid-19 into the mix, it causes even greater concern - and even some confusion. Note, it is safe to have your child get a flu shot if they have had the Covid-19 vaccine.
It's important to take preventative measures
We've already learned how to be extra cautious in protecting ourselves from Covid-19, including masks, good washing techniques, and keeping your distance. Just like Covid precautions, during flu season it’s important to take preventative measures for you and your children.
This includes:
1. Practicing good etiquette for coughing and sneezing. Because flu germs can spread more than 5 feet through coughing and sneezing, it’s important that your child covers their mouth with a tissue. Also, after coughing or sneezing, it’s important to have your children wash their hands.
2. Keep sick children away from school. If your child is sick, it’s important that they stay home from school and avoid play dates.
3. Keep hands and surfaces clean. During this time of year, it’s especially important to keep disinfectant and hand sanitizer on you at all times. It’s also important to teach your children the proper way to wash their hands.
4. Maintain a proper diet. Prepare well-balanced meals that include vegetables, fruit, milk and water for your children. In addition to a proper diet, make sure your child gets at least one hour of physical activity each day.
How do you know if it's the flu or Covid?
Healthychildren.org, a partner of the American Academy of Pediatrics, created the chart above to compare the 2 illnesses. It is a good guide to reference, although not failsafe.
What If My Child Has The Flu?
Even with taking all the necessary precautions, it’s still possible that your child may get the flu. Home care remedies for your child include:
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks plenty of fluid.
- Use medicated chest rubs and saline drops for children over the age of one.
- Use fever reducers, such as Tylenol, Motrin and Advil.
- Though home remedies are effective when it comes to treating the flu, a pediatrician may prescribe antiviral medication for the first 48 hours.
Source: Healthychildren.org
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FDA Grants Approval for 5-11 Year Olds |
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On October 29th, The Food and Drug Administration announced the authorization of an emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 years, which has now been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC's).
The Pediatric Center has already received the vaccine for this age group and is scheduling appointments.
The American Academy of Pediatrics prepared some questions and answers regarding the vaccine, prior to the rollout including the following:
Why will younger children get a 10 microgram dose rather than the 30 microgram dose given to those ages 12 and older?
The first trials compared 10, 20 and 30 microgram doses in children. The first few children who received 30 micrograms developed fevers and red, sore arms. So the trial continued with only 10 and 20 microgram doses. Results showed the same immune response in those who received 10 micrograms vs. those who got 20 micrograms, and minor side effects were lower in the 10 microgram group.
What if a child is 11 years old when she gets the first dose but turns 12 before the second dose?
The child should get 10 micrograms for each dose.
What dose should children ages 11 and under get if their weight is comparable to a teen’s or adult’s?
They should get 10 micrograms. The dose is not weight based. It’s based on immune maturity.
Should children get the vaccine if they already had COVID?
Yes. “You do get protection from being infected, but you get better protection if you're infected and then vaccinated,” said James D. Campbell, M.D., M.S., FAAP, a member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.
How should the vaccine be stored?
It can be stored in an ultra-cold freezer for up to six months or in a refrigerator at 2-8 degrees Celsius for up to 10 weeks. However, once the vial is punctured, it needs to be used within six hours, she added.
Are there any other differences between the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds and the one for those ages 12 and older?
The vaccine for the younger group has an orange cap rather than a purple cap. The injection volume, fill volume and amount of diluent used also are different. The vial also contains 10 doses compared to six doses in a vial of adult/adolescent vaccine.
The typical pediatric vaccine injection volume is 0.5 mL, but the COVID vaccine is 0.2 mL. The dosing needs to be watched carefully.
Pediatricians will provide more information on the release of the vaccine for this younger age group in the coming weeks.
Source: AAPPublications.org
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The last few years have been quite challenging for both adults and kids. We have all had to adapt to a whole new world. Throughout that adjustment, sometimes it's easy to forget all of the things we are grateful for and envelop the joy that gratitude brings. Even small gestures can make a huge difference in your mood and how you make others feel.
During this National Gratitude Month, we encourage you to teach your kids the importance of being grateful as we lead up to Thanksgiving. Below is a list of things you can do with your children or as a family to help appreciate the good:
- Take turns saying what you are grateful for during dinner or at the end of the day.
- Make a jar of "Things we're grateful for" and add to it during the week. Read it together on Sunday night before the start of the next week.
- Send a letter to a loved one telling them why you are grateful for them.
- Volunteer in town or at a food pantry.
- Paint gratitude stones with positive messages on them and spread them throughout the house or around the neighborhood for others to find.
- Donate coats, food or clothes to a shelter or charity in need.
- Do something nice for your neighbor - rake their leaves, take in their garbage pails, leave a flower by their door.
- Donate toys to a nursery or pre-school.
- Bake something together as a family and deliver it to a grandparent, friend or loved one.
Whatever you choose to do, expressing gratitude for everything in your life can change your perspective very quickly.
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Please Note Our Updated Hours |
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Covid-19 Office Procedures |
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Our strict CDC guidelines continue, Our office is completely sanitized and treated before each appointment. We continue the following protocols:
- Phone screening prior to a visit
- No patients in the waiting rooms
- Scheduled appointments only
- Patient clearance prior to entering the office
- Car visits, when needed
- Virtual telemedicine, if requested
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Please continue to limit your visit to one parent only for all patients over 2 years of age, wear a face mask while in the office and maintain social distancing. Please do not make an appointment or come to the office if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
No admittance to the office if you have traveled outside of the state of New Jersey until 10 days past the date of return, 7 days of a negative PCR test upon return, or if you have proof of vaccination.
We look forward to seeing you!
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In-House Covid-19 Testing & Guidelines
The Pediatric Center continues to offer Covid-19 testing for all patients and their families.
Do you need a test to travel, return to school or any other reason?
The Pediatric Center offers testing with an instant
20- minute Rapid test and PCR test results within 48 hours.
Please visit our Covid-19 Testing page to learn more about the types of tests, what to do if you are exposed to Covid-19 and isolation and quarantine guidelines.
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On-Site Lactation Support Center
The Pediatric Center's Lactation Support Center and lactation suite are available to you to support breastfeeding your child.
We offer complimentary lactation consultations and are now offering virtual visits.
To schedule your lactation consultation, attend our free prenatal class or make an appointment please call us at 908-508-0400.
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Patient Portal
The Pediatric Center's patient portal provides personal access to your family's medical records.
You can access information such as immunization records, visit summaries, request appointments, view dates for upcoming appointments and pay your bill.
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Do You Need A Pediatric Specialist?
The Pediatric Center works with a wide network of doctors we can refer to a pediatric specialist if you need one.
As part of our practice, we specialize in developmental & behavioral health and focus on positive parenting practices. We can offer guidance on depression, eating disorders, developmental concerns and many other issues. You are not alone.
Please call to make an appointment to meet with one of our physicians: 908-508-0400.
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The Pediatric Center Online Bill Pay
Online Bill Payment
Payments Over The Phone
If you prefer, you can still make a payment over the phone by calling The Pediatric Center's billing department,
Office: 908-508-0400 / Billing Department: 786-249-1234
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ImPACT Concussion Testing
The Pediatric Center offers on-site ImPact concussion testing.
ImPACT, an FDA cleared tool for baseline and post-injury testing, measures visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed to help determine if a patient (ages 12-59) can safely return to activity.
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Vaccine Education Center
Reminder - we offer all students going to college the Meningococcal B vaccine. This vaccine is covered by insurance. It is recommended it be administered to all students starting college as part of their pre-college physical. We also offer the Gardasil vaccine.
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Find More Topics On Our Blog |
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The Pediatric Center's blog is an invaluable resource for pediatric and parenting topics. The blog is right on our website. It includes topics such as "12 Super Foods for Lactation Aid", "Best Winter Skincare Tips" and so much more.
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We Love Your Feedback!
Your feedback is very important to us! We would love to hear about your positive experience with our doctors and nurse practitioners. You can write and post a review right on our website or on our Facebook page. Thank you for your kind words!
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Free Virtual Prenatal Class
Join our free, virtual prenatal class on the 3rd Thursday of every month with our own
Dr. McKegney!
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For Parents
Resources for breastfeeding, immunization schedules, what to do if your child is sick, online references & much more!
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New Mom Support Group
Are you a new mom and want to connect with other moms while learning about your newborn? Join our weekly support group.
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Follow Us On Facebook!
Keep up to date with pertinent news information and important announcements on Facebook including time sensitive topics and office closings, etc.
Simply like us
by clicking on the button to the right!
Announcements will also be posted on the home page of our website under "What's New".
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The Pediatric Center
556 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974
908-508-0400
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